Anton Salchak, 17, lost the juniors title fight to fellow Tuvan Kezhik Mongush last week, according to a statement on the regional government’s website Tuesday.

The second-place finish comes merely three weeks after Salchak and six friends, ages 14 to 18, were hit by an avalanche on March 3 on Ak-Bashtyg mountain, about six kilometers from the remote village of Mugur-Aksy.

The seven boys had climbed the mountain to plant prayer flags, a ritual meant to bring good luck, RIA Novosti reported last month.

After escaping the avalanche, Salchak alerted rescue crews, prompting a six-day search for his missing friends. The body of the sixth teenager was discovered on March 9.